The increased patient volumes, more frequent PPE use, and faster room turnover that come with cold and flu season create department-specific operational challenges.
Use these thought starters to tailor your prep for each part of your facility.
What’s needed to keep efficiency flowing during cold and flu season In the laboratory?
To keep testing moving safely:
Focus on
Preventing splash exposure
Maintaining specimen integrity
Keeping benches organized during higher testing volumes
Ask
Are splash barriers positioned where they're needed?
Can staff handle higher testing volumes—and keep supplies organized and accessible?
Does tube organization support safe and efficient specimen handling?
Get your copy of our Cold & Flu Preparedness Workbook complete with worksheets
What’s needed to keep efficiency flowing during cold and flu season In the Imaging Department?
To handle increased scan volume without compromising patient comfort or safety:
Focus on
Cleaning shared equipment efficiently
Streamlining patient turnover
Supporting waiting room hygiene
Ask
Are sanitizer and PPE available where patients and staff need them?
Are needed supplies within reach to help clean and reset rooms and equipment efficiently – and safely – between patients?
Are supply carts well organized, with a regular restocking schedule in place to prevent delays?
Get your copy of our Cold & Flu Preparedness Workbook complete with worksheets
What’s needed to keep efficiency flowing during cold and flu season at the Nurses Station?
To support busy teams who don’t stop moving from the moment their shift starts:
Focus on
Keeping PPE within reach
Enabling mobile workflows
Maintaining well-stocked supplies
Ask
Can staff reach needed PPE without stepping away from the patient?
Are mobile carts and isolation supplies stocked and ready?
Is there a daily restocking plan in place?
Get your copy of our Cold & Flu Preparedness Workbook complete with worksheets
What’s needed to keep efficiency flowing during cold and flu season in public-facing areas?
To make infection prevention easy for patients and visitors:
Focus on
Providing convenient access to PPE
Encouraging hand hygiene
Improving visitor compliance
Consider
Are hand sanitizer and PPE accessible at entrance, check-in, and treatment areas?
Is helpful signage in place to alert visitors to recommended protection protocols?
Is there a restocking schedule in place to ensure that needed PPE remains available throughout the day?
Get your copy of our Cold & Flu Preparedness Workbook complete with worksheets